Simple DIY Valentine's Day Games for Ages 6 and Up

Looking for ways celebrate Valentine's Day that are fun and affordable? Families, couples, and children ages 6 and up can engage in friendly competition with these simple Valentine's games that use paper hearts. Each one is designed to inspire their hands, hearts, and heads to celebrate a more memorable Valentine's Day this year. After playing each game, participants can consider the corresponding springboards for further reflection. Taking that next step may lead to new realizations about authentic love. Are you ready to play?

Getting Started: Basic Supplies You Will Need

First, you will need to fold and glue strips of paper to form hearts. You can see examples of the finished hearts in the photos that accompany this article. Kids ages 6 and up may enjoy the games even more if they are able to create some of the paper hearts themselves first. If you prefer more durable materials or lack the time to cut and glue paper hearts, consider purchasing a few dozen heart-shaped cookie cutters. Once you have formed (or purchased) the hearts, you have everything you need for the first two games. The third game uses pieces of chocolate candy plus the paper hearts.

Game #1: Stacking Hearts

The question that sums up this competition is "how high can you go?" Make at least 12 paper hearts for each person playing. Each person builds a tower of hearts. The player who builds the tallest tower before it topples wins.

A time limit can be set or everyone can continue building until their tower topples. A ruler or measuring tape may come in handy to settle any disputes over the winner.

Going deeper:
Ponder the the meaning of this verse from Psalm 103:11: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him."

Game #2: Guard Your Heart

Arrange two hearts with the top curves touching to form a base. Stack paper hearts five (or more) layers high, finishing with a red heart on top. Do not grab the top heart, but rather pull the hearts out from under it, one by one, so that the top heart does not fall and touch the table below. A player scores one point per heart removed until the top heart touches the table.

Going deeper:
When it comes to falling in love, how might the advice in Proverbs 4:23 to "guard your heart" apply?

Game #3: Ring Around the Chocolate

Each person takes several paper hearts and tosses them one by one until they get the heart to land around a piece of chocolate candy (Hershey's kisses work well). The candy is the reward for a successful toss.

Going deeper:
I Corinthians 13: 4 states that "Love is patient." How would you rate your level of patience?

Sources:

All Scriptures are from the New International Version. Accessible online via Bible Gateway.